A church youth group has stepped up to assist those less fortunate in the Lehighton community, making lunches for the guests at the Lehighton Cold Weather Station on Sunday.

The volunteers thanked the People’s EC Church group for raising funds to pack a lunch for clients at Peaceful Knights and Lehighton Cold Weather Station shelters.

The youth group raised money in November through a spaghetti dinner fundraiser, and with the upcoming storm and cold temps approaching, decided to use some of those funds to purchase a lunch for each guest of Peaceful Knights and the Lehighton Warming Station.

This past Sunday, during their usual youth group lesson, they made 40 lunches consisting of a ham and cheese sandwich, granola bar, bag of chips, mandarin orange, and bottle of water. They also included a handmade valentine with an uplifting message. The youth group has been learning how to be the hands and feet of Jesus in their community, and wanted to live it out through this gesture.

The Lehighton Cold Weather Station is a coalition of churches under the support of St. Vincent de Paul Society of SS. Peter & Paul.

Esther Meier, president of St. Vincent de Paul Society of SS. Peter & Paul in Lehighton, said it was a kind gesture from the youth group.

“It’s wonderful that the churches are teaching the youth to care about the poor and our homeless, and to reach out and help others in need,” Meier said. “Some of the parent volunteers bring their kids just to be able to show them how other people live and how they can reach out to others to show them God’s love.”

The youth group visit took place before the shelter opened for the day, as at this time, children are not allowed to serve in the actual shelter.

Meier stressed just how important it is for those less fortunate to have a place to stay in such brutally cold conditions.

“The temperatures are getting below zero, and there has to be a place that people who are unsheltered can stay warm,” she said. “We don’t want anyone to die of exposure; we want them warm and fed, and we’re just doing our best to do that in this terribly cold weather.”

Marissa Strohlein, volunteer, said they served 10 clients overnight Monday, and noted they have people of varying levels of ability.

“Men’s work boots are in high demand, also we do our best to provide coats, but sometimes the sizes we get donated aren’t reflective of the sizes we need (for both men and women),” Strohlein said. “If people want to make care packages with feminine products it would be a big help.”

Other products Strohlein said clients mentioned include girls’ boots and matching gloves, thermal long johns, hats, and thermal socks.

The youth group’s contributions came just as temperatures plummeted with several nights of zero and subzero conditions.

The Lehighton Cold Weather Station at Ebenezer Church, 119 S. Third St., Lehighton, reopened at 2 p.m. Sunday.

Nancy Berchtold, officer of St. Vincent de Paul Society of SS. Peter & Paul in Lehighton, said the shelter intends to remain open 24/7 through tonight and possibly longer.

At present, the Lehighton Cold Weather Station is averaging about a dozen people every night, Berchtold said, and believes they have enough space to comfortably accommodate 25 people.

Berchtold said the Lehighton Cold Weather Station is in need of volunteers to cover all the chaperoning shifts from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 a.m., as well as meals for each day.

Volunteers do not need experience, just compassion and a willingness to learn, the group says.

Berchtold said the shelter is open when temperatures are 25 degrees or lower at night.

She noted that St. Luke’s doctors are ready to set up a street medics clinic at SS. Peter & Paul Church — St. Vincent de Paul, and added their social services, drug and alcohol, mental health, and CareerLink are all a great help.

The Lehighton Cold Weather Station opened its doors on Dec. 1 in the basement of the Ebenezer United Methodist Church at the corner of Third and South streets across from the Lehighton Police Station and Lehighton Fire Department.

Berchtold said the basement of Ebenezer United Methodist Church is open at 6 p.m. for registration and dinner to the homeless when it’s 25 degrees or lower.

She said folks are allowed to stay until 9 a.m., “but our hope is that with enough volunteers, that we can extend that.”

Berchtold said they provide food, mostly from volunteers and folks donating food items, but that they would love to have donations of nighttime meals.

Berchtold said they are seeking more volunteers and donations to offset costs for heating, and are grateful for any assistance.

The Lehighton Cold Weather Station is always accepting hand warmers, hats and gloves, and chaperon hours. They are located in the corner of Third and South streets in town by the park.

Those interested in volunteering may sign up to provide meals or chaperon at lehightoncoldweatherstation.org. For more information, call 570-657-6738.

The youth group would like find more ways to continue helping their community, If anyone has any suggestions, they are welcome to contact the church at peoplesec@gmail.com.